System and method for evaluating a status of a material in metallurgical vessels
US12085384B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 17, 2021 |
| Grant date | Sep 10, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 25, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC21C2005/5288
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Disclosed is a system and method for evaluating a status of a refractory material in metallurgical vessels, including furnaces and ladles, wherein a slag buildup is formed on the surface of such material as a result of scrap accumulation and chemical reactions occurring during the melting of metals in such vessels. The system and method are operative to determine both a rate of degradation of the material under evaluation, including the thickness of such material, and a measure of the slag buildup to predict and extend the operational life and improve the maintenance plan of the vessel. The system is capable of determining the thickness of and the slag buildup on the entire material under evaluation by sampling a number of regions of such material with different types of sensors, characterizing the surface profile of such material, and using appropriate signal processing techniques and artificial intelligence algorithms.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.